What lengths should a photographer go to getting the perfect shot? If some of the 28 finalists in the inaugural Sunshine Coast Landscape and Wildlife Photography competition are anything to go by, a dedicated snapper should risk life and limb in the midst of Mother Nature. While some have captured lonely panoramas, recovering fire zones, and alien like sunrises, others have snuggled-up to snakes, sat with spiders and have been devoured by mosquitoes. Six of them have shared the story behind their exceptional images with the ABC.

Nick Monaghan from Montrose, Victoria says this jumping spider he met in the Kondalilla National Park won the staring contest. "My passion is photographing insects and spiders and jumping spiders are one of my favourite because they tend to be quite curious," he said. "I got nice and close and she turned around and stared right at me." Nick says the shot was taken two to three inches away with a macro lens. "She might have even spotted her reflection." (contributed: Nick Monaghan )

Irma Ferreira from Twin Waters took up photography 18 months ago as a remedy for loneliness after her adult children left home. She spent four hours at the Mary Cairncross Park lookout for this shot of the Glasshouse Mountains. "I waited till sunset and luckily enough for me there was a fire burning in the mountains and it picked up everything from the sunset," she said. "I've never done a panoramic shot and I had to really concentrate, because it's four shots put together." (contributed: Irma Ferreira )

Lisa Delanoue from Belli Park has taken hundreds of frog photos during frog season. She spent the night being stung by mosquitoes for this shot of an emerald spotted tree frog. "It's also known as the maniacal laugh frog - its call is very loud and like a jackhammer," she said. "You shouldn't mistake it for a toad because toads don't like climbing trees." (contributed: Lisa Delanoue )

Shane McCallum from Mountain Creek ventured into Mooloolah National Park a month after a huge bushfire. "I think it was some people messing around with fire and it just got away from them," he said of his shot. "It looks as though the trees are actually dead, with the growth in the background. It gives the sense there is a light at the end of the tunnel." (contributed: Shane McCallum)

Kimberley Springall from Moffat Beach says her metallic seascape looks like it is on an alien planet. "It doesn't look like a sunny day on the Sunshine Coast," she said. Kimberley used a photographic trick learned at photography school to get this shot. "A smaller aperture and lower shutter speed, early in the morning," she said. "You've got a magic 15 minutes in the morning and before night, and if you capture something then the image can be very beautiful." (contributed: Kimberley Springall )

Shanna Bignell's husband found this green tree snake in their patio at Mount Coolum. "He was a good model," she said of the snake. "He was curious and came up close to the camera. He was young and probably not scared of humans yet." Shanna says she wants to capture snake's personalities. "It is a new life in the world and he was a beautiful little creature, and I hope other people can see that too. " (contributed: Shanna Bignell )

The 28 finalist's entries for Sunshine Coast Landscape and Wildlife Photography competition will be exhibited at the Arts & Ecology Centre, Maroochy Botanic Gardens from November 5 to 25.

The winner will be announced at 6pm on November 5 and will receive $8,000 and a highly commended cash prize of $1,500 will also be awarded.